Automatic-release coupling.



woven. v AUTOMATIC RELEASE c'uPLmG. lAPPLICATION FILED AUG.19, I918.

1,294,696., y Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

#AMA-wf.

HERBERT OVER, or sILToN,

SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA.

l AUTOMATIc-RELEASE coUPLING.

' T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT OVER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Silton,

` in the Provin/ce of Saskatchewan and Dominion of Cahada,have inventedcertain newl and useful Improvements in Automatic-Release Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

My invention 'relates to new and useful improvements in an automatic release coupling.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of an automatic release' couplow, cultivator, lor other like implements to a tractor whereby the same will be automatically uncoupled should a; rock or other obstruction be engaged. y f f Another object of the invention is the pro'/ vision of meansfor adjusting the coupling to regulate the point at which the uncoupling will take place. y

A further objv t is the provision of means whereby the parts may be disconnected and replaced in case of breakage for becoming worn. With these and other objects in view my invention consists of the novelty, details in construction and arrangement of parts as will be 4more clearly understood from the following specication anddrawings in which Figure 1 is a side elevation.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the casing forming a part of myv coupling.

Fig. 3y is a transverse section on the line 3 3 of 2 looking in the direction of the arrow, an p Fi 4 is a transverse vertical section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrow. l/

In the drawings the numeral 1 vindicates a casing which is closed at one end as indicated at 2 and openat the opposite end. The closed end `2 is provided with a central opening the purpose of which will be presently described. A longitudinall extending rib 3 is formed on the top of tile casing and is provided with a plurality of ylongitudinally spaced openings 4. A loop member 5 is secured to the rib 3 by means of a bolt 6 which passes through the opening 4 and through eyes formed 1n the end 7 of the looped member. As is indicated more particularly in f Specication of Letters Patent.` Pateiltd Feb, 18, 1919,

. Application led August 19` 191s. serial 110.2501530.

Fig. 3 of the drawings theends 7 of the loop member 5 are preferably flattened so as to snugly engage the sides of the rib 3.

The casing 1 is provided on each side with a longitudinally extending opening 8 more particularly illustrated in Fig. 1 of theA .drawings and this opening extends from a p'oint adjacent the closed end of the casing through the open end thereof.

A-rod 9 is adapted to pass through the central opening in the closed end 2 of the casing 1 and extends longitudinally of the interior of the casing as more particularly pling particularly adapted for connecting a indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The inner end of the rod is threaded as indicated at 10 and a nut 11 is adapted to be received on the threaded end. The .opposite end of the `rod iszprovided with the enlarged ears indicatedat 12 and these ears arespaced apart so as to receive the flattened end 13 of a hook member or shackle 14 which is pivotally connected to the rod by means of a pin 15` which extends through the ears 12 and adjacent the closed end of the casing, and a washer plate 18 is carried on the threaded end of the rod 9 and engages the inner space ofthe` nut 11. The washer plate 18 is provided onA each side/with a lug or projection 19 which is adapted to pass through the longitudinally extending opening 8 in each side of the casing. A colled spring 2O encircles the rod 9, Within the casing 1 and between the washer,y plates 17 and 18.

A cap 21 is adapted to close the open end of the casing 1 and ris secured in position by means ofthe threaded bolts 22 which enter threaded openings formed in the'end of the casing as more particularly l illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The threaded bolts 22 are provided with the enlarged head 23-r 4whereby the bolt may be adjusted in position. It will be understood that the enlarged head 23 engages the outer face of the cap 21. An eye mem er 24 is formed integral with the cap 21 and is adapted to receive a link means of a link 27 which is engaged by the v hook member 14 and may be secured to the tractor in any desired manner.

From. the above detailed description of the construction of Illy Coupling it is thought or cultivator.

that the'advantages and mode of use will be understood. As previously stated the coupling is connected between the tractor and plow or cultivator and the tension of the coiled spring 20 is suiicient to allow the tractor to draw the cultivator or plow through the ground until a large rock or other obstruction is engaged by the plow is engaged the spring will be compressed as the rod is drawn through the closed end 2 of the casing and the hook member 14 Iwill be disengaged from beneath the loop 5. When the end 16 of the hook has passed the loop 5 the hook 14: will naturally drop downwardly and thereby releasing the tractorfrom the coupling. The upwardly ex tending portions 16 on the end of the hook will necessitate the end of the hook being slightly bent downwardly when being engaged with or disengaged from the loop 5. The point at which the uncoupling takes place may' be adjusted by placing the loop 5 in the various longitudinally spaced opening 4. If the loop is placed in, that opening nearest the opening in the casing then the spring will not be compressed as much, in releasing, vas was the loop connected in the second or third opening. When connected in the fourth opening or that opening nearest the closed end of the casing, the loop 5 will not allow the hook to be disengaged, but the coupling canthen be used merely asa shock absorber.

Should any of the part be broken, on the interior of the casing, itis only necessary to remove the bolts 22 and thereby remove the cap 21. When the cap has been removed lthen the nut 11 may be removed from the threaded end 10 of the rod 9 so that the plate 18 maybe disengaged and if desired the rod may be withdrawn from. the closed When such an obstructionv end of the easing. It will also be seen that when the cap 2l is removed then the coiled spring 20 or plate 17 may also be taken from the casing.

The foregoing description and the drawings have reference to what may be considered the preferred or approved form of my fa plurality of longitudinally spaced openings therein, a spring control rod connected Vto the casing, a hook pivotally connected to the rod, and a loop adjustable in the longitudinally spaced openings and adapted to `engage the hook.

2. A coupling comprising a casing, a rib formed on the top of the casing and provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced openings, a spring control rod carried by the casing, a hook pivotally connected to the rod, and a loop adapted to be connected to the rib by means passing through the longitudinally spaced openings,

said loop adapted to engage the hook.

3. A coupling comprising a casing closed at the oneend and open at the opposite end, the .closed end'provided with the central opening, a cap for closing the open end of the casing, an eye formed on the outer face of the cap, a rod extending through the central 4opening in the closed end of the casing, washers carried by the ro'd within the casing, a coiled spring surrounding the ,rod between the washers, a hook pivotally connected to the rod, and a loop adjustably connected to the casing and adapted to engage the hook.

In testimon whereof I affix my signature in 'presence o two witnesses.

HERBERT ovER. Witnesses W. J. COLLINS, A-NNm S. SPROULE. 

